PC: Fate of the Czechoslovak Legion in a Central Powers WWI victory.

It is mid-1918. The Western Front is at its final stage. As the Germans prepare of the Spring Offensive that they hope would decisively crush the Entente, Russia is descending into total chaos. The Bolshevik Revolution that swept the country last October is now fighting on all fronts against the emerging White Movement, and forced to negotiate a humiliating peace with the Central Powers. Amidst it all, one Entente unit is caught in the middle.


IOTL, the Czechoslovak Legion had to fight its way east in order to return to an independent Czechoslovakia. Decorated, distinguished and, in a lot of cases, simply wading through the storm, their exodus was trying but rewarded in the end.

But what if there was no independent Czechoslovakia to return to? What if, when news of the Western Front reaches them, it is word of German boots in Paris, the BEF fleeing across the Channel and leaders of the Czechoslovak National Council either escaping to London and Washington, or sent to Vienna in chains. With the threat of execution for treason, what does the Legion do this situation? Can they expect any sort of amnesty from the now-victorious Austro-Hungarian government? Do they stay and carve out some sort of home in Russia. Or do they simply disperse and settle in the west?

As far as I know, it's probably going to be all of the above. There will be some who'd rather face the threat of execution or prison just to see their families again. Others would probably not, and settle elsewhere. In all, I can see morale simply vanishing overnight at the first mention of defeat. But that's my general take. Let me know how you think this might play out. :3
 
I doubt Austria-Hungary would give them any amnesty or even allow them to return so they'll likely remain in Russia which begs the question - who's winning the Russian Civil War?
 
I doubt Austria-Hungary would give them any amnesty or even allow them to return so they'll likely remain in Russia which begs the question - who's winning the Russian Civil War?

For the scenario I'm planning (ASB, but nothing that truly affects the PoD), the Whites, for a variety of reasons. One could be greater involvement of the Central Powers, though I think demobilization would be of utmost priority, which restricts them to training and arming separatist movements from Finland to Ukraine. The other would be the Entente, who may try to prop up a White government as a bulwurk against future German expansion as opposed to the unreliable and unpredictable Bolshevik government. Lastly, maybe the White armies somehow coordinated, or miraculously pushed at the same time, breaking the Red Army and perhaps netting Trotsky a lead-induced headache. Any of that could end the October Revolution.

In a White victory, which would likely end in a very fragmented government made up of warlords, the Czechoslovak Legion could be granted enough autonomy to set up its own entity, or just claim it through force of arms.
 
Obviously some filter on, to the Czech population in the USA, or go to Paris or London or other places exiles go, some try to go home, but I would argue the bulk stay on in Russia if the Whites are ultimately in control but not with German support, then one might argue that Russia is now a sort of reversed USSR, the Czechs will become part of their armies in the way foreigners joined the Communist fight. Russia already had emigre populations but of course these saw some suspicion and persecution, mostly Germans, and I think that still occurs no matter who wins, but at least the Legion has fought for the winning side inside Russia so I would argue they fair better than did foreign communists in the end.
 
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